One Cent At A Timehttp://onecentatatime.comThe Getting Ahead Blogen-USWed, 29 Jul 2015 20:01:42 PDThttp://wordpress.org/?v=4.2.3hourly1http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/2.0/http://onecentatatime.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/cent.icoOne Cent At A TimeHome Improvement or Moving To a New Homehttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/onecentatatime/~3/4qSDtqT3Jbk/Financial tipsHome BuyingHomeHome buyingSBWed, 29 Jul 2015 20:01:42 PDThttp://onecentatatime.com/?p=10654Many of us face this challenge in life. For some reason or other we need to either take on home remodeling or improvement projects. So is it always better to improve your current home than trying to move a to a newer and bigger home?

It is becoming more and more common for people to go down the avenue of improving their current home rather than moving. Often, people find themselves in this quandary, trying to decide which makes more sense for their situation, do they stay in their current home, after home improvement, or up route and move to a different property.

There are two most common reason behind the need to move is – one, family outgrowing the home size and, two, a change in the work place. of course you have to move in order to meet the new job need. So, in this article, we will talk about a need to move to a newer and bigger house as opposed to taking up home improvement option.

Although some people want a move to a new home, many are finding that under certain circumstances, it’s more economical to stay put and develop their current home to fit their needs.

Like everything else in personal finance, this is also a very personal decision. There are lots of variable factors we are talking here. Variables like,

Nature of home improvement needed

Your savings

Your budget

Amount of free time

Availability of local contractors

Price of your current property

Price of other fitting properties, and lastly

Your credit score

These factors are different for each individual. So, moving or home improving is not a two-minute decision to make. You need to spend sufficient amount of time, for fact-finding and data gathering, before deciding what to do. Move to a new home or remodel your current home?

You need to figure out what it is you want from your home and whether or not this is achievable within your present property area, and for a charge that suits your budget. Do you just want to give your home a makeover or were you looking to generate additional space?

Nature of home improvement

Creating space can be achievable in many situations with a small budget by converting and existing garage or attic. Smaller projects that don’t alter the exterior of the property don’t require planning permission which means these kind of renovations can be completed over a short space of time. It will also save you a lot of money as you aren’t doing any major building works.

What makes adding extra space a difficult job, is the extent of changes on the outside. Any change to the building exterior would need a lot of permissions and approvals and cost can be high.

Your Saving

This determines how much you’ll have to borrow to cover for the remodeling cost. If you don’t much savings then you need to borrow more money. Also if you want to move and the difference between your selling price and buying price is significant, then also your savings plays a big part in determining the extent of additional mortgage you’ll have to take on.

Your Budget

depending on your budget, you may or may not want to go for remodeling and opt for a home swap instead, if the cost of home improvement is too high for your budget.

Amount of free time

This is most neglected, but very valid aspect behind your decision making. If you’re out of time you’ll most likely compromise. You’ll compromise on the quality of repair work. You may even find yourself not having enough time to lookout for new homes to move to. A small repair work, which anyone else in your home can over see, can be the best fit in this situation.

Availability of repairmen

This happened to one of our family friends. After detailed design of the planned remodeling, they found their builder out of business. This may not happen with you, but these is a possibility. Also you may want to find an affordable company to carry out your home improvement work.

Price of your current property

Very important to remember that, if the property values in your area are not very high, any amount of home improvement can’t increase your home value by the amount of your spending. If you spend $50,000 on your home improvement, the property value might not even increase by $20,000. So keep an open eye to this aspect as well.

Price of the target property

If you get a cheaper and bigger home, fitting all your needs, I don’t see any reason you shouldn’t be moving. Still some deciding factors could be the school district, distance from work, crime record and neighborhood, etc.

But with almost equal conditions in your current home and target home, if the target home is available at a cheaper price than your current home selling price, then one should decide to move.

Please do consider the cost of home sell and cost of home buying in to the equation as well. A buyer has to pay for title, registration, taxes and the seller has to bear the brokerage charges for realtors.

Credit score

Credit score and credit report will determine the rate of interest on your loan. Whether it is a home equity loan, a personal loan or a new mortgage, a better credit score will lower your APR rate, and vice-verse.

Other smaller deciding factor could be the level of difficulty your family will have to face during the repair work.

When home improvement work takes place there shouldn’t be too much disruption to your current living spaces. The work should be less interfering and as quick as possible. You also need to think about building permit and getting approvals from local authorities, if the changes are needed to the outside of your home.

If by above selection process, you decide to rather stay put and improve your current home, you may start thinkign for financing the project. There are ways to finance home improvement costs. If you don’t have the savings to achieve these then secured loan option, like home equity loan may be more suitable for larger projects.

where as unsecured loan, like personal loans (here are best personal loan options in US) may be suitable for the smaller projects. Ensure you speak to a qualified financial advisor before going ahead with any lending.

About the Author: Ceri Harris is an underwriter at Willows Finance a secured loans company based in Wales.

]]>Many of us face this challenge in life. For some reason or other we need to either take on home remodeling or improvement projects. So is it always better to improve your current home than trying to move a to a newer and bigger home? It is becoming more and more common for people to [&#8230;]http://onecentatatime.com/home-improvement-or-moving-to-a-new-home/feed/0http://onecentatatime.com/home-improvement-or-moving-to-a-new-home/Building An Emergency Fund From Scratchhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/onecentatatime/~3/-lQwl6qe1Ak/Emergency FundFinancial tipsSBMon, 27 Jul 2015 03:00:26 PDThttp://onecentatatime.com/?p=10638Earlier I wrote about the myth of emergency fund. For some reason, I didn’t get much good feedback about it, neither it received a good amount of views. But the topic is important. An emergency fund is a must for good financial health. In this post, I’ll simplify emergency fund, by just focusing on the setting up of the fund. Let’s assume you don’t have anything for an emergency fund right now. Let’s setup one, right now. We all need it!

One of the most effective ways to safeguard against an uncertain future is to set up and maintain an emergency fund. This involves putting away a certain amount of money every month in order to cover some unforeseen need in the future, such as illness or the loss of employment.

For such purposes, it is advisable to set aside enough money to cover three months’ worth of living expenses. It might seem like a tall order to be sure, but it can be done. Here are some tips on how you can start and maintain an emergency fund.

Be realistic about your plans and expectations

Planning to save is a good thing, but keep a realistic view of your plans and expectations as well. Although you will want to put as much money as possible in your emergency fund, expenses can really get in the way of the best-laid plans.

Any contributions you make to your emergency fund will likely have to be drawn from the funds you have left over after paying your monthly expenses.

Keep in mind also that your savings aren’t likely to balloon any time in the near future, unless you are incredibly lucky and/or already wealthy. But keep plugging away at it and put in the required amount every month, and your emergency fund will eventually grow to a significant amount.

Smart small…but get started

With all the little–and not so little–expenses you have to deal with every month, it can seem like a tremendous challenge just to get started with an emergency fund.

Expenses such as rent, gas, food, credit card bills, student loan payments, electric bill, and cable, Internet, and phone bills can take a serious chunk out of your finances. However, getting started small is better than not getting started at all.

If necessary, try eliminating unnecessary expenses and those myriad little expenses that add up. By doing so, you should be able to scrape up even just a little bit of cash to place into your emergency fund.

Keep on track

Building up an emergency fund is a long drawn-out process that will require patience and perseverance–and lots of it. Oftentimes, you will veer off track and struggle to keep your savings going. It is important to keep your goal in mind and to remain committed to achieving it.

It might be helpful to decide on a specific amount to save every month–keeping your goals realistic, of course–and to do your best to stick to the plan. If you do miss out on a deposit or two, strive to make up for it when your finances allow.

Resist the urge to dip into your savings. It can be tempting to “shift things around” with the idea of replacing the used funds later, but this is a slippery slope that is best avoided.

Build up your emergency fund

After you have gotten into the habit of putting a little something away every month, see if you can increase the amount you put into your emergency fund slightly. If you have been consistently maintaining your fund, you are probably fairly comfortable financially speaking.

You might therefore want to use the opportunity and the added financial liquidity to boost your savings. By doing so, you not only increase the amount of money that goes into your emergency fund, but speed up the rate at which your savings grows as well.

Make sure you have access to the funds

Finally, make sure the funds are readily available when you need them. Although there is something to be said about investing your money or keeping it in a time savings deposit, these options will greatly limit the availability of your funds.

Ideally, you will want to place some of your money in a number of investment and savings options, while still maintaining an emergency fund that you have ready access to if and when you need it.

Readers, it’s shocking to learn that more than 75% of Americans don’t have an emergency fund setup. No emergency fund compel us to borrow money which results in debt, a life-long debt perhaps.

Start building your emergency fund today, perhaps with just $100. Open an online savings accounts and transfer this $100 from your checking account. Contribute regularly, may be another $100 per month. In no time you will have a sizable fund for your emergency needs.

If you don’t have an emergency fund, size doesn’t matter what matters most is starting now!

]]>Earlier I wrote about the myth of emergency fund. For some reason, I didn&#8217;t get much good feedback about it, neither it received a good amount of views. But the topic is important. An emergency fund is a must for good financial health. In this post, I&#8217;ll simplify emergency fund, by just focusing on the [&#8230;]http://onecentatatime.com/building-an-emergency-fund-from-scratch/feed/3http://onecentatatime.com/building-an-emergency-fund-from-scratch/Some Tips for Buying a Used Carhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/onecentatatime/~3/q-hft9Xwf0Q/CarsFinancial tipsSBFri, 24 Jul 2015 03:00:16 PDThttp://onecentatatime.com/?p=10631We got our first car in 2005, the year we came to this country. That was a used car we saw on Craigslist. There were hardly any people to turn to for tips for the car those days. We were new and were still getting accustomed to the car buying process. Now after 10 years and having purchased 2 more used cars, here are some basic tips for any one who’s looking to buy a used car in US.

Buying a used car isn’t as easy as it sounds. More time you spent in searching and researching, better deal you’ll make, most likely. If you’re dealing with this for the first time, here’s how to navigate the dealership and walk out with a reliable automobile instead of a lemon.

Have a fixed Budget

Having a budget is important. When you don’t have a budget, you tend to spend more than you can afford. Of course, setting a budget can be difficult without knowing what kind of car you want.

Know The Car You Want

Knowing the type of vehicle you want can help you assess whether your budget is reasonable. It also helps you avoid the classic sales pitch where a salesman talks you into a vehicle that he wants to sell you rather than something you can afford.

When you don’t have any idea what you want, it becomes all about squeezing as much money out of you as possible. Don’t let that happen.

It’s all about aligning your budget with your goals and wants. Be realistic about both. If you want a Ferrari, you’re going to have to pony up quite a lot of money. That’s why most people don’t own Ferraris.

On the other hand, you probably want a vehicle that’s reliable, and those can rarely be had for $500.

The used cars at Carmax or online listings like used cars at gmtautosales.com would be a great example of where to start looking for price comparisons on makes and models. Just make sure you know what you want before you step foot on the dealer’s lot.

Check Forums

Checking forums can be a great way to research both dealers and vehicles. Other people probably have already had problems with a vehicle you’re considering. Opening up an account with a car forum targeted at your desired make and model can save you thousands of dollars.

For example, Honda-Tech.com is a forum for Honda enthusiasts. If you sign up there, you will be in the company of professional and amateur mechanics and people who are generally very knowledgeable about Hondas.

This is a great place to ask questions about a Civic or Accord you’re considering buying. Let’s say you’re considering a Civic, but you heard that the newer models have had problems with second gear.

Sure enough, you hop on the forums and find out that the 6-speed transmissions in some Hondas grind going into 2nd gear. But, there’s a simple fix for it. You could decide to walk into a newer Civic purchase knowing that you’d have to fix the transmission or you could opt for another model year that didn’t have those problems.

Forums like this exist for a variety of different manufacturers, whether you’re considering a BMW, a Toyota, A Ford, or GM product.

Look For Used-Car Auctions

A used-car auction will get you into a used car for much less money than what you’d pay at the dealership. But, these auctions are usually crowded with dealers. So, you sort of have to know how to outbid or avoid them.

If you do decide to go this route, take a friend who has experience buying vehicles from a dealer.

Find Out What The Certification Process Consists Of

Does the used car dealer offer certified used vehicles? Great. Now, find out what that certification process is. Some used car dealers will (unfortunately) use this as a sales gimmick to get you to feel safe about the vehicles they sell.

Get It Inspected By Your Own Mechanic

Always have a used vehicle inspected by a mechanic you trust. Unless you know your way around a vehicle, you’re going to want a second opinion from an expert.

Think Before Financing Through The Dealership

There’s a reason why they often call them “stealerships.” When a dealer offers financing, stop. Go talk to your local bank. Dealer financing is almost never a great deal because the dealer cuts another deal with a preferred lender and is allowed to charge additional interest on the loan to you.

The difference between what the lender offers and what you’re offered by the dealer is pocketed by the dealer.

For example, a dealer might offer you 10 percent financing on your vehicle. Meanwhile, the bank they’re going through to secure the funds for you is charging the dealer 8 percent. The difference – 2 percent – is pocketed by the dealer.

Instead of taking this deal, you should go directly to the bank. Although I have a very different opinion about dealer financing. When we bought our Toyota Camry, we got a 0% car loan from Toyota Finance.

I tend to believe the fact that loans on new cars is cheaper than the loans on used car as valuation of used cars is a difficult task. Lending for a used car is riskier than lending for a new car.

Be Willing To Fold

This is the first rule of negotiation, be prepared to walk away. Sometimes, you just can’t get a deal. That’s OK. You don’t have to buy or even consider every car out there. You could show up to a buyer’s house or a car dealership and find out that there’s something wrong with the vehicle that you didn’t notice in the ad.

Being willing to walk away from a deal means that you’re not emotionally attached to the car before you’ve given it a test drive and verified that it’s mechanically sound.

This is one of the best ways to avoid being taken. It’s also something a lot of people have trouble doing. Stay objective, be honest to yourself about how much you really know about the vehicle and the seller, and you should be fine.

Martha Wood is a car loan officer. She loves sharing her insights online. Look for her posts on many personal finance blog sites.

]]>We got our first car in 2005, the year we came to this country. That was a used car we saw on Craigslist. There were hardly any people to turn to for tips for the car those days. We were new and were still getting accustomed to the car buying process. Now after 10 years [&#8230;]http://onecentatatime.com/some-tips-for-buying-a-used-car/feed/1http://onecentatatime.com/some-tips-for-buying-a-used-car/Binary Options – Scam or Legit?http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/onecentatatime/~3/zj77znji8Gk/Financial tipsTradingSBWed, 22 Jul 2015 03:00:23 PDThttp://onecentatatime.com/?p=10624Compared to most other investment types, binary options are a relatively new retail investment vehicle; and as with most new things, there are several questions revolving around the concept. One of the most pressing questions is, “Is binary options a scam or an investment opportunity with real potential?”.

Today, we’ll discuss what binary options trading is and how it works. We’ll also take a look at why some consider it a scam and whether or not it really has any potential to be a profitable investment vehicle. So, let’s get right to it…

First thing first. I never did a binary option trading. Partly because it’s risky to my appetite and partly because I am not much confident to start without researching to my satisfaction. This is a result of the research I carried out so far.

When I’d start with binary trading?

I don’t know, it’s still risky to me for the sheer 50-50 outcome.

What Are Binary Options

Binary options are an investment vehicle that is incredibly unique. When trading binary options, the traders don’t purchase any amount of tangible assets. Instead, they simply make predictions as to whether the value of assets are going to rise or fall.

Also, as the name of the trading option suggests, binary options are indeed binary. This means that there are only two possible outcomes to trades.

Either the trade ends in the money and the trader realizes a predetermined profit or the trade ends out of the money and the trader realizes a predetermined loss. Here’s an example of a binary options trade…

For this example, let’s say that stock ABC is trading at a rate of $50 per share. Through extensive research, a binary options trader decides that the price of the stock is likely to climb to $52 per share over the next 24 hours.

So, the trader purchases a call option on ABC with a strike price of $51 per share (leaving room for slower than expected growth) for $100. The trader knows that if he is correct, he stands to gain a 70% return.

Adversely, if he is incorrect, he stands to lose his principal investment. After 24 hours, ABC is trading at $51.57; a value that is above the strike price. As a result, the trader receives his principal investment of $100 plus $70 as gains on the trade.

Investopedia has more in-depth explanation of how Binary option trading works.

Why Some Investors Call Binary Options A Scam

There are two primary concerns that some investors have with the idea of binary options trading. Here they are…

No Asset Is Purchased – In most forms of investing, investors purchase assets. In the stock market, stocks are purchased; in commodities gold, silver, oil and more are purchased; and in forex, currency is purchased. However, in the world of binary options, a contract is purchased, not a formal asset. As a result, investors believe that there is little to no value to the investments made in the binary options space.

No Trader Can Be Correct 100% Of The Time – There’s no doubt that traders aren’t psychics; if that was the case, no research would be needed and the trader would earn returns 100% of the time. Some investors argue that because of this, traders are more likely to realize losses than they are to realize gains.

Now the question becomes, “Is there any validity to these concerns?”

Is Binary Options Trading Really A Scam?

The bottom line is that binary options trading is not a scam. First off, assets don’t have to be purchased to generate a return on investment. While no exchange of assets may insinuate higher risk, the fact that binary options traders know how much money they stand to gain or lose on each trade actually makes risk management a much simpler process.

Also, those concerned about accuracy rates are correct, no trader can be right 100% of the time; and if you simply guess with every trade, chances are that you’ll be right 50% of the time. This won’t generate a profit as traders generally need to be correct about 60% of the time.

However, that’s not very hard to do. In reality, with a little research and analysis, it’s not uncommon for traders to be correct around 75% of the time; generating a very decent profit in the process. So, at first glance, I can definitely understand the concerns outlined by investors with regard to binary options.

However, when all is taken into account, those concerns are debunked and binary options prove to be a viable investment.

What Do You Think?

I am not saying binary option is safe. All I tried to say is binary options are legal and legit in many countries including US. It’s risky for me but may not be for you. Also, if you’re US resident, make sure the broker you choose is not an offshore broker and is licensed to do business in US, before you sign up for a binary option broker.

What is your opinion of binary options as an investment vehicle? Let us know in the comments below!

]]>Compared to most other investment types, binary options are a relatively new retail investment vehicle; and as with most new things, there are several questions revolving around the concept. One of the most pressing questions is, “Is binary options a scam or an investment opportunity with real potential?”. Today, we&#8217;ll discuss what binary options trading [&#8230;]http://onecentatatime.com/binary-options-scam-or-legit/feed/2http://onecentatatime.com/binary-options-scam-or-legit/Some Second Income Ideashttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/onecentatatime/~3/ohHr7u8piSs/Extra IncomeExtra incomeSBMon, 20 Jul 2015 03:00:32 PDThttp://onecentatatime.com/?p=10613There’s no better time to write about earning extra money than now. When markets across the globe are melting and Us is on a standby mode. It looks like a market crash or correction is on the card. I have sold a few positions over last month. But subject of this post is having a steady source of second income, out side of your day job or main business.

Many people, these days, are trying to find additional sources of income, which can sometimes be quite a drag. Choosing which alternative source of income is best for someone mostly depends on the amount of work and time each person is ready to invest in this project. In this article we’re going to list some of the most creative ideas on how to make some extra money without sacrificing too much time and nerves.

While you start working for your second income, do have a PayPal account created. PayPal has become the most accepted payment medium for everything related to earning on the side.

Freelancing

The freelance economy is growing by the day and changing the world around us. People who lost their jobs during the 2008 economic crisis never went back to the 9 to 5 corporate work hours, in spite of the economic recovery that happened in the meantime.

The great thing about freelancing is that workers themselves can choose how much work they’re going to take and how much money they’re going to get. This makes it the perfect second job and one of the best active income sources. Getting started with freelancing is not that difficult, especially with plenty of freelance market places that can be found online.

These websites can be used for presenting skills and expertise to clients, establishing valuable business connections or even finding a better paid job.

If you’re interested to become a freelancing blog contributor for us, get in touch with me. We are looking for someone who can write engaging articles with a lot of research in to it.

Stock Trading

Stocks are part of any investment portfolio. The doubts that people had about stock trading, that were influenced by the Dot.com bubble and the 2008 economic crisis are slowly fading away and the new age of the internet allows everybody to trade stocks from their home and to be good at it.

Two decades ago, stocks were only sold at official brokerage offices, which were also offering their advisory services making the overall price too high for most people. Now when they can be bought online, without paying any additional fees, stock trading is easier than ever. There are several types of stocks that can be traded.

Penny stocks are considered to be more volatile, but they also provide much bigger returns in case of success. Blue chip stocks are stocks from top companies and they are also much more expensive, which makes them more suitable for bigger players. Readers should know that stock trading shouldn’t be considered as another get-rich-quick scheme and that success in this business requires a lot of expertise.

Blogging

This is my source of second income. From this blog I earn a lot of money on the side. And creating your blog is an easy task. People who are experts in a certain niche can share their knowledge and earn money through ad platforms like Google AdSense or affiliate programs like Amazon Associates. AdSence is a regular pay-per-click platform, and it’s good for blogs that deal with news, politics, society, every-day subjects etc.

Through affiliate platforms bloggers earn a percentage from every purchase the reader makes from the products they promote. These platforms are much better for product reviews, finance, tech, food and other blogs that recommend different kinds of products.

If you buy your blog domain and Hosting from BlueHost, I’ll also earn a commission from them. But I also promote Blue Host as this blog uses BlueHost for hosting the site and I am extremely satisfied with their flawless service and cheaper price.

AirBnB

AirBnB is a network made to connect travelers with people who offer accommodation. Everybody can offer their bed, room, flat, or house and earn from renting it to strangers. This might sound scary at first, but the whole system is much more secure than it sounds.

Money is withdrawn automatically from people’s AirBnB accounts and there’s also a system of references that is made to pin individuals that are using the system in a bad way.

AirBnB can be very lucrative to people who live near popular tourist sites, since the demand for accommodation in these places is much higher. Of course, you can always rent out a bed even if you don’t live in a city that attracts thousands of tourists a year.

Mystery Shopping

Mystery shoppin is used by market research companies to rate customer service and compliance with company regulations in retail stores. For people who don’t have a problem with “working for the Dark Side”, it is a great way to earn some extra cash, or to get different presents that go from coupons and goods to vacations and restaurant meals.

These gigs can be found through different aggregator websites and in most cases a PayPal account, internet access and a scanner for receipts is everything a person needs to become a mystery shopper. You can also have a lot of fun performing these covert tasks, and find a lot of good deals and offers you might have missed otherwise.

Buying and Selling Domain Names

People sometimes bump into domain names that have been bought already, but that don’t have a website they are directed to. These domains are already bought by people who want to resell them. Sometimes they even list their company contact and domain name price on the page where the domain leads to.

For making this operation profitable people need to follow the latest online trends and be in constant search for new, attractive domain names.

Reselling Stuff on eBay

eBay offers a lot of possibilities when it comes to earning. It is the online market place and that means that for purchasing goods and selling them later, small time eBay entrepreneurs don’t even need to get out of their armchairs. This makes reselling stuff on eBay the perfect second job.

Resellers should first do a little research, which will help them determine which products are popular at the moment. After that comes the long process of searching for things to buy and bidding for them. For this they’ll need to learn more about placing bids, and in time they’ll became skilled bidders.

Another very important thing when it comes to selling products on eBay is to write a creative presentation of the product and to add lots of high quality photos of it photographed in nice environments. eBay is not the only online market place. There are plenty of other websites where people can by affordable goods, and if they see that some item is becoming more popular it’s good to buy it wholesale.

This can be done on various websites like Alibaba, but one of the most important things for wholesale purchases is to always ask for samples before deciding which product to buy. Selling popular products on eBay while buying them through wholesale purchases can bring much bigger profits and save a lot of valuable time.

Becoming an Uber Driver

Uber is a very popular application and in a lot of countries around the world it is going to replace standard taxi companies. Uber drivers averagely earn $6 more than standard taxi drivers and their services are less expensive. You can apply here.

Uber managed to grow their business with better planning and the use of the latest technologies in connecting drivers and customers.

The company has recently released two reports, one that represents the analysis of the Uber labor market and the other that contains the results of an anonymous survey of 601 Uber drivers from around the world. These documents provide all information on the conditions this company is offering to independent contractors.

There are also some requirements that drivers need to fulfill so they can start their partnership with Uber:

Drivers need to be at least 21 years old and have an in-state driver’s license;

They need to have a 4-door car, 2005 or newer (on the West Coast and in Chicago cars can be a few years older, while in NYC they need to be 2011 or newer);

Drivers need to have in-state insurance, with their name on the policy;

They need to have in-state plates with a current registration that can be regular or commercial;

They need to pass a background and a record check.

Start Working as a Virtual Assistant

This is something like an online secretary and this work has become more popular recently. The job itself doesn’t require too much knowledge or tech. People who already worked as secretaries will find their way around things more easily, but basically anyone can do it.

The only requirements are: a laptop, an internet connection and a telephone and the work can be done from home or any other location. This is one of the best jobs for stay-at-home moms and a great way for people to earn some additional income.

Opening a Work Hub

People who have bigger real estate close to the city center can easily open a work hub in their place. They only need to make it comfortable, install fast internet and prepare themselves to make coffees and teas all day long. There are different work hubs on the offer.

Some professional ones offer meeting places, conference rooms and real offices, but most freelancers and small-time entrepreneurs are just searching for a comfortable place to run their websites and blogs.

They only need basic comfort, air conditioning, fast broadband and coffee of course. Someone who has a home big enough to welcome a dozen of quiet and working people can easily run a place like this.

Bottom Line

There are a lot of untapped sources of income in the advanced technology world of today. Sometimes is hard to step out from the 9 to 5 world, most of the people live in, but those brave ones who do are greeted by thousands of money-making opportunities, that can easily became full time jobs if combined with some creativity and diligence.

]]>There&#8217;s no better time to write about earning extra money than now. When markets across the globe are melting and Us is on a standby mode. It looks like a market crash or correction is on the card. I have sold a few positions over last month. But subject of this post is having a [&#8230;]http://onecentatatime.com/some-second-income-ideas/feed/0http://onecentatatime.com/some-second-income-ideas/Dealing With Over Spending Partnerhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/onecentatatime/~3/5-wx9sMf1n4/Financial PlanningFinancial tipspersonal financeSBFri, 17 Jul 2015 03:00:38 PDThttp://onecentatatime.com/?p=10608Is your partner just the opposite, money wise? Does your partner spends money at the slightest whim? Do you run a bigger bill at super markets with your partner, than when you are shopping alone? Most importantly, are you worried about your partner’s money habit?

One of the hard-fact in life is that, most of us are attracted to our opposites. If you are shy and a homebody, you are most likely attracted to someone that is outgoing, bubbly, and will pull you out of your shell a bit. If you have been a saver all of your life and have no idea how to even act in a restaurant (because you’ve never wanted to shell out the money to experience one), then you might find yourself attracted to a spender that shows you how much fun spending money can be.

Savers marry spenders all the time. They know that their partner is a little reckless with money, but they are certain that they will settle down with the spending once they mature and grow. And, if they don’t change initially, you still are not all that worried because they will certainly limit their spending when you decide to start a family.

Sadly enough though, the spending often doesn’t stop. It creates a massive wedge between you and your spouse and the spender cannot often understand what the big deal is. As a saver you might be wondering, “How in the world can I tame my overspending partner? How can I get them to realize that their spending is reckless and irresponsible?”

Getting Through to an Overspending Partner

A golden rule of thumb – approach him/her lovingly, with care and with patience.

First of all, you cannot just tell someone that they are irresponsible and should stop spending so much money. They either think that you are being controlling or that you’re overreacting and this might even prompt them to spend more money (perhaps because of unhappiness in the relationship).

Most reckless spenders have a very short term mindset. They love spontaneity and live life from day to day, which is why they don’t mind spending money so quickly. It gives them pleasure in the short term, which is really all that matters to them.

In order to get through to your partner, you need to begin asking them questions about the future. Where do they see themselves in 10 years? When would they like to retire? What would they like to do when they retire? Bring them into the long-term and have them brainstorm with you about how fabulous both of you would like your future to be.

After reflecting on these conversations for a couple of weeks, ask your partner how much they think you both would need in order to live that lifestyle. More than likely, they will either give you a blank stare or accuse you of being too money-centered (because they have no idea what the answer is, but they don’t want to tell you that), but this will at least prompt some thought about their future (whether they let you in on their thoughts or not).

On your own, do your best to figure out how much money it would take to live the lifestyle that your partner desires and let him/her in on this number. Then let them know what you are on track to save by that point in the future (which I suspect is far lower than this number). It still might not take, but at least your partner is now aware that if he/she continues to spend money like water, they won’t be living as they desire in the future.

If your partner is willing, sit down and work out a budget together that will ultimately get you to your goals. If they are serious about changing their spending habits, then you can both refer to that budget whenever you need to purchase something and see if it aligns with what you both agreed to spend. If it does not align, then neither of you should spend that money. Again, this isn’t a foolproof plan, but if it even works a little you will be on your way to a better financial future.

Do you currently have a partner that spends too much? How have you tried to tame their spending?

]]>Is your partner just the opposite, money wise? Does your partner spends money at the slightest whim? Do you run a bigger bill at super markets with your partner, than when you are shopping alone? Most importantly, are you worried about your partner&#8217;s money habit? One of the hard-fact in life is that, most of us [&#8230;]http://onecentatatime.com/dealing-with-over-spending-partner/feed/4http://onecentatatime.com/dealing-with-over-spending-partner/Right Mindset and Right Tool To Better Your Financeshttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/onecentatatime/~3/OP7zF-hsh00/Beginners GuideFinancial tipsBeginner's guidepersonal financeSBWed, 15 Jul 2015 03:00:00 PDThttp://onecentatatime.com/?p=10593Managing your finances can be a rather stressing task because there are so many influencing factors. Your income or lack of it. Your savings or lack of it. Your spending or excess of it. But most importantly what you want and how much control you have in place with respect to spending your money determines your financial success.

Some people seem to have a knack at being good in managing their finances, but there are some of us who struggle a little (or a lot). More than one-third of American population is in debt. So, we do struggle. A lot!

Other than learning tips and tricks from finance gurus, you sometimes learn through your own mistakes. Making financial mistake is no doubt a mistake that comes with a hefty price, pun intended, but it will definitely be a lesson too valuable for you to forget.

In order to manage your finances better, there are a lot of aspects that you need to take into consideration. Understanding your expenditure in and out and knowing where each cent goes to are just some of the important things to take into account. A personal finance tool come in handy for this purpose. We will discuss about the tools later.

First, the aspect that most people tend to overlook is how having mental peace is just as crucial. Here, we will talk about how mental peace can help you to better your finances.

How right mind-set helps in managing finances

Clear priorities – What is more important to you? Driving a BMW or having $50,000 in your retirement account? A good enough home or a lavish 5 bed room bungalow, which one you prefer? Setting such priorities can determine how much you can save. Having money in your bank should be more satisfying than living a rich lifestyle with borrowed money on your credit card account.

Calmer demeanor – It’s easy to freak out when your finances are out of control. Mental peace will help you to calm yourself down without being overwhelmed with negative emotions. You’re also less prone to panic attacks that will very likely affect your future financial decisions.

Clearer perspective – Amidst financial chaos, you’re able to see things better and clearer with mental peace. When you have a clear vision of what needs to be done, you’re able to go at it in a more reasonable and rational way.

Open to changes – Mental peace provides with you the ability to see things better. And this also means you’re more adaptive to changes and will be willing to change your style in managing your finances. If you have to move to an expansive place with same income, you should adjust your lifestyle accordingly.

More options – By being open to changes, you will provide yourself with more options in the best way to manage your finances.

Less stress – Personal finances often leave many stressed out and even depressed. If you were to gain mental peace, you will be less likely to lash out in anger when your finances are failing you or if you’re going through a hard situation. Mental peace keeps your anger and stress level in check, allowing you to manage things better.

More careful – Because mental peace can increase your mental acuteness, you will find yourself more careful with your spending. You’re can think more rationally and be less impulsive, thus curbing or avoiding overspending. Have you ever thought of your retirement life? Will you continue to work till you are unable to move? Be careful about your future. Save enough money now to avoid working at late age.

Increase creativity – With an uncluttered mind, you will be able to think more creatively about how to improve your finances through other means such as potential businesses.

Happier you – Without any stress, you will find yourself happier and contented with how you run your life.

Self-satisfaction – Being able to stay in control and know you can improve your finances will reward you with a feeling of unrivaled self-satisfaction. Of course the biggest financial satisfaction is to see your net-worth grow.

Tools to better your finances

I mentioned this over and over about the need of a tool. A tool that can clearly show your net-worth, your spending, your income and also help you manage your budget. There are many free tools available for you to use – PersonalCapital, Mint, FutureAdvisor, WealthFront, Yodlee, etc. I have used PersonalCapitalfor more than a year. I found it best among the tools.

I drive a BMW but, that can’t generate enough satisfaction compared to what an increasing net-wroth can. I am sure many of you will register for PersonalCapital account but, most of you will hesitate to link your financial accounts to it. It’s like having a bed but not willing to sleep on it.

Register all your accounts there to reap the most benefit. Only when you’re aware of all the symptoms, you can get a good treatment. I receive emails asking how secure these personal finance tools are. Let me assure you it’s completely safe to link all of your banks, cards, brokerages, mortgage and retirement accounts. I even linked my home and car values, to know my actual financial worth. There are millions of people using these financial sites and apps. They are totally safe.

I am reiterating the importance of a tool because, it’s otherwise very hard and time-consuming effort to accurately derive your overall income, spending and saving numbers. Especially if you have multiple income sources, multiple bank/card account.

Let’s assume you have only one source of income and you have only one card to use. Should you use a personal finance tool then?

Absolutely, as long as you have diversified your investment or you have loans outstanding. It’s extremely hard to measure your investment performance with the tools your brokerage provides. You can’t compare your portfolio performance with your own performance last year. You hardly can compare them against bench-mark stock indices.

I am a visual person. Unless I am explained with a graphics, it’s hard for me to understand numbers. These tools do exactly that. They make the numbers crystal clear.

Prior to the emergence of personal finance tools, I used to have nightmare tallying my income and spending. I had no clue about my net-worth. Today 8 out of 10 people in America have no clue about their net-worth.

Hey! They are safe, secure and free!

Conclusion

Your mind-set may impact your financial performance, just like with anything else in your life. To improve your finances – get a positive mind-set, set up financial goals, be careful, make yourself financially accountable to someone else. And most importantly; use a personal finance tool.

]]>Managing your finances can be a rather stressing task because there are so many influencing factors. Your income or lack of it. Your savings or lack of it. Your spending or excess of it. But most importantly what you want and how much control you have in place with respect to spending your money determines your [&#8230;]http://onecentatatime.com/right-mindset-and-right-tool-to-better-your-finances/feed/0http://onecentatatime.com/right-mindset-and-right-tool-to-better-your-finances/How I Saved My 5 Year Worth of Expenses, Quit My Job, and Started My Blogging Businesshttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/onecentatatime/~3/GTYx6nFCLWY/BloggingBuilding Better BlogSBMon, 13 Jul 2015 03:00:47 PDThttp://onecentatatime.com/?p=10585This is the story of my friend Bill. Who is a frequent guest posted here. I am running the blog as a side business whereas, he made his blog main source of income, a full-fledged business. Bill found drawbacks in the corporate world, the office politics, constantly being questioned, less freedom, etc. But, I enjoy my day job. My job gives me many creative ways to express myself. I lead my team rather than being bossed around. Many of you may face a tough working condition. So enjoy the post and try to see if you can apply to your life.

A decade ago, I was just like thousands — or even millions — of fresh graduates: Straight out of college, I landed a job in a business outsourcing company, working as a customer service representative. You can just imagine the rush of pride I felt when I finally got that call, giving me a job offer. I thought to myself, ”This is it! The start of my corporate career!”

I was ready to dive right into the rat race, to push myself to climb to the top of the corporate ladder, and at that time, I truly believed that it was the path meant for me.

Fortunately, I was also financially responsible to know that I wanted to start an emergency fund — squirreling away a percentage of my income for those so-called rainy days. I had seen my older colleagues at work who were deep in debt, and I swore to myself that I would try my very best not to make any money mistakes in my 20s.

I told myself that I would work smart, shop smart, and live smart — and that meant living within a tight budget, even for just a few years, so I would be able to pay off my student loans and build an emergency nest egg at the same time

How I built my emergency fund was pretty simple. As I mentioned, I always made sure that I stowed away 10% of my income at a bank — with a passbook account, no less — that was quite out of the way and too inconvenient for me, so I would not be tempted to use that money for my whims and shopping impulses.

I also considered investing in gold and silver, since those precious metals’ value never depreciate, but I was too young at that time (read: not enough funds and capital), so I had to let that idea go.

After 5 years of working my butt off in the business outsourcing industry, I was burned out, fatigued beyond comprehension, and ready to say good-bye to the corporate world. I was sick of the office politics, dealing with irate, irrational customers, and the stress and boring routine that comes with a nine-to-five desk job.

At that point, I was at a loss. I wanted to leave the corporate world, and my heart and gut were telling me to take on freelancing, but I didn’t know where and how to start. Plus, did I have what it takes to succeed on my own?

And yet, I did take that great leap of faith. Let me tell you that deciding to leave the corporate world and taking the jump into self-employment (a.k.a. freelancing) was not an easy one: It takes a lot of courage and soul searching to know if self-employment is really for you. I had to deal with a lot of naysayers, starting with my own family, who said that I was being impractical.

How could I possibly earn enough to sustain myself if I had no financial fallback (i.e. a regular paycheck)? That’s what they kept asking me. And I have to admit, it was a struggle to keep assuring them that I could handle it, even if deep inside, I was also battling self-doubts.

I would have spiraled to depression were it not for my supportive friends and network of contacts, who were fully all for my decision to become a full-time freelancer. Before I quit my job, a couple of other friends had also done the same thing, taking the route of self-employment, and it was they who helped me land my first client as a freelancer.

These good friends were realistic and didn’t sugarcoat the truth: that freelancing at first is hard, but it gets easier as you build your contacts, your client base, and your self-discipline.

If you were to ask me, the hardest part of being self-employed is the loneliness that comes with it. Before, I would go to work and be surrounded by people (even if they weren’t all the people I liked). I was living alone, and given that I was home-based, I had no one to talk to when I wanted a break, and for projects that were quite overwhelming, I had no one to turn to when the going got tough.

Believe me, no matter how awesome being self-employed is — you get to work in your pajamas, you own your time, you get to work whenever you want — there are still downsides to it. What’s more, if you’re a freelancer, most clients would assume that you have no vacations and weekends off, so for the most part, I was on-call… and that can be really frustrating and taxing.

Also, I had to admit that the start of my freelancing gig impacted my income — A LOT. If I was already living frugally with my corporate job, I had to scale down even more when I became a freelancer. I worried about how to save on family and personal expenses in the future, and I spent months thinking of ways to augment my income as a freelance writer.

That’s when I got the idea of starting a blog. Blogging is a popular gold mine, but competition was quite stiff. So, I had to research and learn which niches were already saturated, and which niches needed more “supply.” Fortunately, since I was handling financial operations in my previous job, I was quite well-versed in finance and money, so I decided to start a blog that would dispense useful advice and relevant info on such topics.

It took some time, and A LOT of effort (such as networking and putting the word out about my site), but now I am proud to say that I have a profitable finance blog. It’s a good means for a side income, on top of my writing and proofreading gigs. Best of all, I get to choose the topics, and it’s really quite refreshing!

Startup bloggers and freelancers and the curious have asked me how I managed to “make it,” and I always tell them to always stay positive, to learn to shake off negative vibes, and to keep learning and honing their craft. You need to constantly update your knowledge and improve your skills, if you want to keep afloat in the competitive world of blogging.

Expanding your network of contacts is also a must — and this rings true whether you are self-employed or otherwise. Business, when you get down to the nitty-gritty of it, is all about knowing the right people, after all.

I also became even more inspired when I stumbled upon this post. If you know me, I am always hunting around for inspirational quotes and posts to keep me going. My life as a freelancer is not full of rainbows, sunshine, and four-leaf clovers, but it’s rewarding, both emotionally and financially.

There are still days when I just want to stop working, when I doubt my decision to be self-employed, but I only need to glance at these two quotes that are permanently tacked on my cork-board in my home office:

”The greatest pleasure in life is doing what people say you cannot do.” —Walter Bagehot, British journalist and essayist

”Choose a job you will love, and you will never have to work a day in your life. ”—Confucius, Chinese philosopher

…and I will be reminded of how blessed I am to be doing something I love — and getting paid for it.

About the Author: Bill Achola is a personal financial publisher who owns a fast-growing, dynamic and innovative personal finance blog that empowers young people to make the right financial decision. To see action on how you can invest in your future, check out his blog at http://traderushreview.us.com.

]]>This is the story of my friend Bill. Who is a frequent guest posted here. I am running the blog as a side business whereas, he made his blog main source of income, a full-fledged business. Bill found drawbacks in the corporate world, the office politics, constantly being questioned, less freedom, etc. But, I enjoy [&#8230;]http://onecentatatime.com/how-i-started-my-blogging-business/feed/4http://onecentatatime.com/how-i-started-my-blogging-business/How To Improve Your Forex Trading Returnhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/onecentatatime/~3/HLaPLBuEM6Q/TradingForexSBSun, 12 Jul 2015 09:14:43 PDThttp://onecentatatime.com/?p=10582Everyone in the Forex trading game, whether a newbie or a seasoned trader, wants to take their trading performance to the next level. Luckily, the secret to improving your Forex trading is as easy as learning how to trade well at Forex. Here are 5 ways you can improve your Forex trading.

1. Avoid Over-trading

Most newbies in Forex trading are so excited and emotional that they end up over-trading. Even though you want to do as much as possible to optimize your profits, you have to keep your trading frequency in check. Every trading decision should be deliberate, well-researched, and properly justified. In general, consider a trade setup’s probability of success before executing it.

A good rule of the thumb is to be sure that the trade you about to enter has a better chance of success than failure, otherwise called the risk-reward payoff. If you stand to gain very little at a very high risk, stay off the market, your impatience notwithstanding.

A spokesman from VantageFX said “Trading too often leads to emotional trading, which indirectly is what causes new traders issues”.

2. Think Of Your Trading Activity Like A Business Rather Than Gambling Or A Hobby

By looking at your trading activities as a hobby, your mind will not be focused on good performance. On the other hand, if you think trading is like gambling, you will make rash decisions, resulting in less control over the outcome of your trades.

The Forex market has a way of punishing such behaviour. Think of your trading as a business. This way, you will consider carefully whether a certain trade is a risk worth taking, since a loss counts as a cost. This will help you avoid obvious mistakes that would otherwise deal a blow to your trading performance.

3. Have a Trading Plan

Novice traders sometimes think that once the price chart is in front of them, they will figure out what to do, and while at it, make money. Nothing could be further from the truth. You will need an ironclad plan so that you know what to expect from a trade even before you open it.

Think of a trading plan as a business model or plan. A plan helps you to know when to enter the trade, the maximum loss to take and the profit to take if the trade works out in your favor.

4. Concentrate On Mastering A Few Trading Strategies

Many beginners in Forex trading wrongfully believe trading knowledge translates into better trading performance. Just because you know dozens of indicators, it does not make you an expert trader. This is precisely the reason why you should start out by focusing on learning a few strategies such as price action techniques.

Once you master how use them to make a profit in the market, you will better your trading performance. One thing that is often neglected by newcomers is staying up to date with market news, as no matter how good your indicators are, you need to go into every trade with all the information possible.

5. Manage Risk And Reward Properly

Your lots should be sized appropriately so that you maintain a pre-determined level of risk. This means that your stop loss and lot size should reflect your desired risk levels. For instance, if you plan to risk at most 1% on a single trade, make sure the both the stop loss levels and the lot size for the particular trade reflect this.

Some trades allow you to use tighter stops, while others require wider stops. Therefore, the lot sizes should be adjusted with regard to these stops so that your trading remains within your pre-determined risk levels.

Conclusion

These 5 steps can help you report better performance in Forex trading. Basically, you need to consider your trading activity a business, avoid over-trading at all costs, have a concrete trading plan, gain proficiency in a few strategies at a time, and manage your risks and rewards appropriately.

]]>Everyone in the Forex trading game, whether a newbie or a seasoned trader, wants to take their trading performance to the next level. Luckily, the secret to improving your Forex trading is as easy as learning how to trade well at Forex. Here are 5 ways you can improve your Forex trading. 1. Avoid Over-trading [&#8230;]http://onecentatatime.com/how-to-improve-your-forex-trading-return/feed/0http://onecentatatime.com/how-to-improve-your-forex-trading-return/How to Financially Prepare for Retirementhttp://feedproxy.google.com/~r/onecentatatime/~3/-ARqyX-tW4Q/Financial tipsRetirementSBFri, 10 Jul 2015 03:00:14 PDThttp://onecentatatime.com/?p=10573It will be here sooner than you think. Retirement—the day you’ve looked forward to since your first boss yelled at you or your first extended overtime stint—can produce a host of emotions, ranging from boundless joy to abject fear. It’s not easy to take a long, hard look at your finances or to contemplate your mortality, but doing so is the only way to protect yourself from life’s uncertainties when you retire.

The earlier in your career you start preparing for retirement, you’ll be better financially upon retirement. With more than half of working population in US having no retirement saving, it’s scary to think about their future. Their only alternative is to continue working till they drop. Unless you want to be in the same boat, start preparing for your retirement today, start saving for retirement today.

Below steps describes how you should go about preparing for your retirement. Irrespective of your age and income, follow the steps to secure a bright future for your self and your loved ones.

How to financially prepare for Retirement

Take Stock of Your Plans

Do you want to enjoy your retirement without working for money. Or do you want to spend retirement working part-time?

Two generations ago, retirement meant a quiet life of gardening, bridge games, and television marathons. Now retirement is as diverse as retirees themselves. Think about what a happy, healthy retirement looks like for you. Would you like to work part-time? Consult on projects you love?

Take up a career as a freelancer? Or are you more interested in starting a winery or goat farm? Your retirement dreams should color your retirement plans, so make a budget and a list of goals. Then separate the “must-haves” from the “like-to-haves.”

Get a Financial Consultation

No one should have to plan for something as big and intimidating as retirement alone. Consultation with a financial planner can help you tie up loose ends, while inspiring you to save more, spend less, and get real about your retirement options. Some questions to ask include:

What is the projected cost of my ideal retirement?

Do I need to continue working part-time?

How much should I have in savings?

How long will my savings last?

How can I maximize my investment yield while minimizing my risk?

Is my portfolio sufficiently diversified?

Where should I keep my money after I retire?

Do I have wiggle room for extra expenses?

Are there additional options for funding my retirement dreams?

Save More in Retirement Fund

At least I am working to enjoy my retirement. I have an income from day job and income from this blog. i almost earn equal money from this blog and from the work. I am maximizing my retirement saving accounts (401(k) and IRA). I am taking full advantage of the employer match.

So if you want a peaceful retirement, start saving more in your retirement account. If you can, max out your contribution. Even a mere $100 a month more in your retirement can bring more than $200 per month post retirement, if you start early, due to the power of compound interest.

You can even think of buying an annuity or a life insurance as an investment. Although mathematically annuity and life insurance don’t make much sense due to very low interest rate. These are options only when you have surplus money after maxing out retirement accounts.

Review Your Options

If you’re anything like most soon-to-be-retired folks, you have no idea what benefits you can expect upon retiring. You need to know exactly what you can expect to get. Begin by reviewing your Social Security benefits to assess your monthly income.

Check with your employer’s human resources department to explore options for your pension and continuing medical care. Some employers allow you to take your health plan with you when you retire.

And if your employer offers matching contributions to your retirement account, max out those contributions; don’t turn down free money just because you want to spend a few extra bucks right now!

Be Honest About Your Health

Healthcare costs can eat up a significant portion of your retirement income, with the average retired couple needing $220,000 to cover medical expenses throughout their retirement. Start living a healthy life. Practice things like Yoga, meditation, daily exercise stop on over eating and eating unhealthy fast food.

Get a physical, and get your health risks under control by losing weight, quitting smoking, and instituting an exercise regimen. If you know you face serious health concerns, be honest with yourself about the potential risks. Ask your doctor how much you can expect to spend, and budget accordingly.

Find Alternative Income Sources

Selling items on Ebay, Etsy, or another online marketplace. If you’re crafty or love collecting vintage items, this can be particularly lucrative.

Looking into a reverse mortgage to cover additional expenses.

Freelancing.

Finding sources of residual income. For instance, some websites pay writers a monthly salary based on page views.

Offering consulting services to local businesses.

Pushing your retirement date back a year or two.

Sure, retirement can be daunting, but it’s the well-deserved break you’ve awaited for a lifetime. It’s time to start thinking about what your post-work days can look like.

Annie Doisy is a reverse mortgage expert who helps seniors enhance their lives by taking advantage of the equity in their homes. Annie writes for reversemortgages.com where her goal is to educate consumers on a wide range of topics around mortgages and other personal finances.

]]>It will be here sooner than you think. Retirement—the day you&#8217;ve looked forward to since your first boss yelled at you or your first extended overtime stint—can produce a host of emotions, ranging from boundless joy to abject fear. It&#8217;s not easy to take a long, hard look at your finances or to contemplate your [&#8230;]http://onecentatatime.com/how-to-financially-prepare-for-retirement/feed/1http://onecentatatime.com/how-to-financially-prepare-for-retirement/